Algea

thakid · Nov 19, 2014

Hello I have a question

I have allot algea starting to grow out of control
my perimeters are as follow

ph 8.2-8.3
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
kh 11
phosphates 0
calcium 370-380
mag. 1300
iodine .07

lights on for 2hrs in morning and 4 hrs at night with moon lights all night.

my acro will not open up. and my torch a head died and the others are starting to die as well
have allot of pineapple sponges growing like crazy as well. I is a stock red sea 130d the only addition it has is a phos ban reactor .

JOKER · Nov 20, 2014

Is this a new tank?

thakid · Nov 20, 2014

no its 1yr and about8-9 months old

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 20, 2014

For the algae problem, I'd look to export more nitrate and phosphate somehow, before the algae gets a chance to take what it needs.

So methods like phosphate binders (e.g., GFO), growing macroalgae, more skimming, and organic carbon dosing could all be useful.

"lights on for 2hrs in morning and 4 hrs at night with moon lights all night."

What happens in between?

Reefing Madness · Nov 20, 2014

Check to make sure its not Bryopsis, that is the clean water algae.

thakid · Nov 21, 2014

I do have some but it is a very little growth on a rock i have this like very dark green almost black algae. I clean it off very easy with a small brush and it grows somewhere else

thakid · Nov 21, 2014

I did a water check lastnight and all came out ok only change is kh 12

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 21, 2014

Might it be cyano?

In any case, intercepting phosphate before it gets it may be the best bet.

Wags · Nov 21, 2014

If your params are good could be dinoflagellets, pictures?

thakid · Nov 21, 2014

Algae turns black

thakid · Nov 21, 2014

Algae

thakid · Nov 21, 2014

Algae

Randy Holmes-Farley · Nov 22, 2014

Hard to tell from the pics.

If you just blow water hard on it (not actual brush contact), does it blow off? If so, it might be cyanobacteria. I've seen dark green/black species.

thakid · Nov 22, 2014

Yes comes off very easyexcept from corals i need the soft brush

Cory · Nov 22, 2014

Most people think low water movement will cause this type of algae to grow. I'd say it's more Co2 dependant, and or high organics. But low water flow will allow it to stay attached where high movement wouldn't.